Meganola georgei Troubridge, new species

(Fig. 21, 92, 131)

BIN: BOLD:AAA8651

Diagnosis. Meganola georgei is most closely related to Meganola phylla (Dyar) (Fig. 22) (BIN: BOLD:ABZ5427) and is distinguished from it by the black spots on the forewing costa, which are solid black with diffuse margins in M. phylla but smaller, gray or brownish gray, with a crisper black margin in M. georgei. Additionally, the postmedial line of M. georgei is double with two distinct black lines below the reniform spot, that of M. phylla is less distinct and composed of scattered black scales.

Description. Antennae bipectinate in males, filiform in females; head, thorax, and abdomen light gray. Dorsal forewing (both sexes). Forewing length 8–10 mm. Ground color light gray; antemedial line thin, black, with sharp “V” shape below cubital vein; postmedial line composed of two thin black lines, inner line with sharp “V” shape on vein 1A+2A; submarginal line a series of dark-gray smudges; terminal line white with black dots on veins, fringe gray; orbicular and reniform spots white, not sharply delineated; costa with light gray-brown triangular spot with black border adjacent to reniform spot, a brown spot sits adjacent to this triangular spot and reniform spot; a second basal patch of brown scales on costa with smaller dark-gray spot distal to it. Dorsal hindwing. Ground color light gray with darker postmedial shade and gray scales highlight veins; dark-gray discal spot diffuse; fringe gray. Male genitalia (Fig. 92). Valve heavily setose with squarish apex and rounded corners; sacculus relatively small, terminates distally with curved, spine-like clasper; costa heavily sclerotized; uncus broad basally, narrowing to sharp, hooked tip; gnathos finger-like, scobinate; juxta with pointed lateral processes directed anteriorly into abdomen; transtilla thread-like; vesica with hooked, spine-like cornutus. Female genitalia (Fig. 131). Ovipositor lobes setose, not telescopic; ostium bursae heavily sclerotized on ventral surface; ductus bursae relatively short, broad, heavily sclerotized on dorsal surface with sclerite on right side at junction of appendix bursae; globular appendix bursae arises from narrow neck on left side of ductus bursae; corpus bursae tear-drop shaped with elongate signum on left side.

Type material. Holotype male: USA: Florida, Desoto Co.: Nocatee, 27°10.07′N, 81°54.63′W, 1.Mar.2011, J. Troubridge, in the CNC. Paratypes: 29♂ 15♀: Florida: Collier Co.: Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, 25.98°N, 81.39°W, 8.Feb.2014, 1♀, J. Troubridge; Desoto Co.: Nocatee, 27°10.07′N, 81°54.63′W, 1♂; 22.Jan.2010, 1♂; 27.Feb.2013, 1♀; 23.Feb.2012; 2♂ 2♀; 1.Mar.2011, 1♂, all J. Troubridge; Highlands Co.: Archbold, 27° 11.22′N, 81° 20.27′W, 1♂, J. Troubridge; Okeechobee Co.: Kissimmee Prairie, 27.584°N, 81.044°W, 8. Feb. 20131, 1♂ 1♀; 10.Jan.2013, 1♂, J. Troubridge; Sarasota Co.: North Port, 27.040°N, 82.069°W, 5.Nov.2012, 1♀; 4.Dec.2012, 1♂, 1♀; 15.Dec.2009, 3♂; 10.Dec.2009, 4♂, 2♀; 22.Dec.2009, 4♂; 18.Nov.2013, 1♂; 15.Mar.2010, 2♂; 9.Mar.2011, 1♂; 28.Mar.2012, 1♀; 24.Nov.2014, 1♂, 2♀; 17.Jan.2010, 1♀; 9.Mar.2011, 1♂, 1♀; 12.Mar.2012, 1♂; 15.Mar.2010, 1♂; 28.Mar.2012, 1♀; 7.Feb.2010, 1♂, all J. Troubridge.

Etymology. Meganola georgei is named in honor of George “Lucky” Inman, who kindly allowed access to the type locality.

Distribution. Meganola georgei is common from southern Florida, northward into Georgia.

Noctuidae: Dyopsinae